Chapter ATCP 160

Subchapter V — Judging and Accounting

ATCP 160.91   Judging regulations.

ATCP 160.92   Accounting requirements.

ATCP 160.93   Authority.

Ch. ATCP 160 Note Note: Chapter Ag 5 as it existed on April 30, 1976 was repealed and a new chapter Ag 5 was created effective May 1, 1976; Chapter Ag 5 as it existed on November 30, 1990 was repealed and a new chapter Ag 5 was created effective December 1, 1990; Chapter Ag 5 was renumbered chapter ATCP 160 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, April, 1993, No. 448.

subch. I of ch. ATCP 160 Subchapter I — General Requirements and Definitions

ATCP 160.01 ATCP 160.01 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

ATCP 160.01(1) (1) “Breed class” and “breeding class” mean a specific breed within a class such as holstein in the dairy class.

ATCP 160.01(2) (2) “Class” means a grouping in which exhibits may be entered, including an animal breed or age group for animal exhibits; a type of produce, crop or food; or a specific age, age group or educational grade level of exhibitor.

ATCP 160.01(2m) (2m) “Conference judging” means a judging system using a discussion about each exhibit with the entire group.

ATCP 160.01(3) (3) “Danish judging system” means a judging system that allows for multiple first, second, third and fourth class selections as provided in s. ATCP 160.91 (4) (b).

ATCP 160.01(4) (4) “Department” as it relates to the organizational structure of a fair, means an animal species, production group, or other principal classification of exhibits. As used in any other context, “department” means the state of Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

ATCP 160.01(5) (5) “Division” means one of 3 exhibitor group classifications for a fair and is limited to junior division, open division and senior citizens division.

ATCP 160.01(6) (6) “Entry class” means a class in which the fair allows exhibitors to submit entries.

ATCP 160.01(7) (7) “Exotic domestic animal” means an animal that is not a common farm animal.

ATCP 160.01(7e) (7e) “Face-to-face judging” means a judging system using a semiprivate discussion between the judge and the exhibitor with the following phases:

ATCP 160.01(7e)(a) (a) Get acquainted.

ATCP 160.01(7e)(b) (b) Learn the background of the exhibit.

ATCP 160.01(7e)(c) (c) Self-evaluation.

ATCP 160.01(7e)(d) (d) Evaluator comment.

ATCP 160.01(7e)(e) (e) Parting.

ATCP 160.01(7m) (7m) “Fair” means a county or district fair eligible to receive state aid under s. 93.23 (1) (b) or (c), Stats.

ATCP 160.01(7s) (7s) “Fair board” means the governing entity of a fair.

ATCP 160.01(8) (8) “Lot” or “lot number” means the numerical designation assigned by a fair for a specific category of exhibits within a class.

ATCP 160.01(9) (9) “Market class” means a class that includes animals of a certain weight for the species that can be sold for slaughter.

ATCP 160.01(10) (10) “Premium” means a monetary prize that a fair awards to an exhibitor after judging all competing exhibits in the class to which the premium pertains.

ATCP 160.01(11) (11) “Regular judging system” means a judging system that allows for one first, second, third and fourth class selection as provided in s. ATCP 160.91 (4) (c).

ATCP 160.01(12) (12) “Self determined project” means a project that meets all of the following criteria:

ATCP 160.01(12)(a) (a) It is approved by the fair board.

ATCP 160.01(12)(b) (b) Its subject matter is related to any of the junior fair departments 9, 10, 13 to 16, 18, or 20 to 29.

ATCP 160.01(12)(c) (c) It does not fall into a defined entry class within any department.

ATCP 160.01(12)(d) (d) It is carried out by a member of a youth organization.

ATCP 160.01(13) (13) “Youth organization” means an organization under adult leadership that has educational programing.

ATCP 160.01 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; cr. (5), Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; CR 11-037: renum. (1) to (5) to be (2), (4), (5), (8), (10), cr. (1), (3), (6), (7), (9), (11), (12) Register April 2012 No. 676, eff. 5-1-12; CR 21-093: cr. (2m), (7e), (7m), (7s), am. (8) to (10), (12) (d), cr. (13) Register September 2022 No. 801, eff. 10-1-22.

ATCP 160.02 ATCP 160.02 Premium requirements.

ATCP 160.02(1) (1) General.

ATCP 160.02(1)(a) (a) The state aid authorized by s. 93.23 (1), Stats., may be paid on net premiums paid by a fair. The department may withhold state premium aid from any fair that does not enforce animal health provisions under ch. ATCP 10 that are applicable to animals exhibited at the fair. State aid will be paid only on premiums actually paid by bank check or draft.

ATCP 160.02(1)(b) (b) No deductions may be made from premium money won by an exhibitor. Premiums may, however, be withheld where exhibition rules established by the fair association are violated. A written statement of violation shall be submitted to the department to justify actions taken by a fair.

ATCP 160.02(1)(c) (c) Premiums offered shall be definite in amount. No decrease or increase in published premiums may be made because of the financial condition or the organization or for any other reason.

ATCP 160.02(1)(e) (e) No fair may receive state aid for a premium awarded to any exhibitor in the open division if that exhibitor entered the same exhibit in the junior division at the same fair. This paragraph does not apply if the exhibit was entered in the junior division only as part of a herd group, carcass class or performance class.

ATCP 160.02(1)(f) (f) No state aid will be paid on the cost of ribbons, cups, trophy prizes or entertainment contests.

ATCP 160.02(2) (2) Premium lists.

ATCP 160.02(2)(a) (a) Premiums for which state aid is requested by county and district fairs shall conform with the uniform premium list and other requirements set forth in these rules. Fairs requesting state aid for net premiums shall submit to the department a printed copy of the premium list used at the fair, as required under s. ATCP 160.92 (3) (c).

ATCP 160.02(2)(b) (b) The officers of each fair shall mail a copy of the premium list to other associations, societies, or boards conducting a fair in Wisconsin upon request.

ATCP 160.02(2)(c) (c) Sections ATCP 160.01 through 160.07 and 160.91 shall be published in premium books used by a fair for which state aid is requested.

ATCP 160.02(3) (3) Entry fees.

ATCP 160.02(3)(a) (a) A fair may charge an exhibitor an entry fee or charge stall rents for animals, or both.

ATCP 160.02(3)(b) (b) Exhibitors in department 35 shall not be required to purchase an exhibitor’s ticket. Any other exhibitor may be required, if no entry fee is charged, to purchase an exhibitor’s season ticket at a price not to exceed that charged for a non-exhibitor’s season ticket.

ATCP 160.02(4) (4) Split fair dates.

ATCP 160.02(4)(a) (a) For purposes of this subsection, “split fair dates” occur when a fair organization judges exhibits or contests and pays premiums at more than one time or at more than one location during the calendar year.

ATCP 160.02(4)(b) (b) Except as provided under par. (c), the department may not pay state aid for a fair having split dates unless the department gives advance written approval for a split fair. The department may approve split dates based on hardship.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c) (c) The department may pay state aid for the following exhibits or contests in a fair having split dates with advance notification to the department:

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)1. 1. Clothing revue.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)2. 2. Demonstrations.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)3. 3. Favorite foods revue.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)4. 4. Dogs.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)4m. 4m. Cats.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)5. 5. Small animals.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)6. 6. Rocketry.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)7. 7. Shooting sports.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)7m. 7m. Mechanical projects.

ATCP 160.02(4)(c)8. 8. Other exhibits and contests that are similar to those identified in subds. 1. to 7.

ATCP 160.02(4)(d) (d) If there are split dates under par. (b) or (c), all blue ribbon winners shall repeat their demonstrations or exhibits at the regular fair dates unless the department grants a hardship exemption. An exhibitor may use audio-visual media, still photography or an educational display to repeat a demonstration or exhibit.

ATCP 160.02 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; r. and recr. (1) (e) and am. (3) (a), Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; r. and recr. (4), Register, November, 2000, No. 539, eff. 12-1-00; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, November, 2000, No. 539; CR 08-075: am. (1) (a) Register April 2009 No. 640, eff. 5-1-09; CR 11-037: am. (1) (a), (3) (a), (b), cr. (4) (c) 8. Register April 2012 No. 676, eff. 5-1-12; CR 21-093: am. (1) (a), (b), renum. (1) (d) to ATCP 160.05 (3), am. (1) (e), (3) (a), (4) (b), (c) (intro.), cr. (4) (c) 4m., 7m., (4) (d) Register September 2022 No. 801, eff. 10-1-22.

ATCP 160.03 ATCP 160.03 Exhibition requirements. A fair shall meet all of the exhibition requirements of this section to be eligible for state premium aid.

ATCP 160.03(1) (1) No fair society or other organization sponsoring a fair may require an exhibitor to become a member of the organization in order to enter an exhibit at the fair, nor may the sponsoring organization make any deduction from an exhibitor’s premium as a donation to the fair society, or require an exhibitor in any other way to make a donation to the society.

ATCP 160.03(2) (2) State aid may not be approved for out-of-state exhibits or for separate classes of local and non-local exhibitors. Aid may not be approved for payment of premiums to an exhibitor having an out-of-state address but claiming Wisconsin residency unless the fair secretary provides the department with an affidavit that the exhibitor’s residence is geographically located within the state.

ATCP 160.03(3) (3) State aid may be paid only on articles or animals actually on display in an exhibit building or actually shown in the show ring on regular fair dates unless approval for split fair dates is obtained under s. ATCP 160.02 (4). State aid may not be paid on Dairy Herd Improvement Association records, transportation aid, production contests or other special educational exhibits unless prior approval is obtained under s. ATCP 160.49 (7).

ATCP 160.03(4) (4) State aid may not be paid on exhibits removed from the fairgrounds before 4 p.m. on the last day of the fair, or such other later time as may be specified by the fair, without prior approval of the department. Authority for earlier removal may be granted by the department in case of meat animal sales or other special classes, if requested before the beginning of the fair. In other hardship cases, approval may be granted by the fair. Exhibits in dog obedience and small animal pet classes may be judged during the regular fair but are not required to remain present during the entire fair. The fair may prescribe the length of time junior fair exhibitors of horses shall keep their animal on the ground.

ATCP 160.03 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; CR 21-093: am. (intro.), (1), (4) Register September 2022 No. 801, eff. 10-1-22; correction in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2022 No. 801.

ATCP 160.05 ATCP 160.05 Open division; general requirements.

ATCP 160.05(1) (1) The total maximum premiums set forth for all places in any open division livestock class, excluding poultry and rabbits, may be divided into multiple premiums for a greater number of places, but the maximum premium offered for any additional place shall not be higher than the maximum for the last place in the class.

ATCP 160.05(2) (2) All animals in any open division class shall be owned by the exhibitor, except as provided in s. ATCP 160.09.

ATCP 160.05(3) (3) State aid may be paid on no more than 2 premiums awarded an exhibitor under one premium or lot number in open division individual livestock classes, except poultry and rabbits, and no more than one premium in all other classes, including poultry and rabbits.

ATCP 160.05(4) (4) State aid may not be used to award a premium to an exhibitor who exhibits an item or animal that has been exhibited in open class division previously in a state aid funded fair in that calendar year and resulted in a premium being awarded for that item or animal.

ATCP 160.05(5) (5) The fair board may establish specific classes by professional and amateur level groupings within classes for open class departments 14 to 28.

ATCP 160.05 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; CR 11-037: r. (2), renum. (3) to be (2) Register April 2012 No. 676, eff. 5-1-12; CR 21-093: am. (1), renum. (3) from ATCP 160.02 (1) (d), cr. (4), (5) Register September 2022 No. 801, eff. 10-1-22.

ATCP 160.07 ATCP 160.07 Classes; general requirements.

ATCP 160.07(1) (1) Classes may be combined if the number of entries in several single classes is insufficient. If any classes are combined, state aid shall be limited to the maximum total premiums listed for a single class of animals, items or articles in that department.

ATCP 160.07(2) (2) 

ATCP 160.07(2)(a) (a) Except as provided under par. (b), no fair may receive state aid for premiums awarded for sexually intact male dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, swine or horses unless those animals are registered. Registered status shall be documented by a certificate of registry from the appropriate breed association or society, or by a copy of the application for registration.

ATCP 160.07(2)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to dairy cattle exhibited at a fair if a national breed association certifies that those dairy cattle are recorded in that breed association’s qualified herd book which records the genealogy of that breed.

ATCP 160.07(3) (3) Any animal entered as part of a group class may also be exhibited in a class for individual animals.

ATCP 160.07(4) (4) Boars may not be entered as an exhibit in the swine department unless their tusks have been removed.

ATCP 160.07(5) (5) The age of an animal, for purposes of determining its entry class under this chapter, shall be determined as of the opening day of the fair.

ATCP 160.07 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; renum. and am. (2) to be (2) (a) and cr. (2) (b), Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; CR 11-037: cr. (5) Register April 2012 No. 676, eff. 5-1-12; CR 21-093: am. (2) Register September 2022 No. 801, eff. 10-1-22.

ATCP 160.08 ATCP 160.08 Class definitions; individual classes.

ATCP 160.08(1) (1) Dairy cattle.